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Alteration zones in the Eastern Desert are promising for minerals and geological resources exploration. Remote sensing and geophysical techniques offer cost-effective tools for identifying new exploration sites. Additionally, their use in mapping potential alteration zones is crucial for enhancing exploration. Geophysical and remote sensing data are integrated to perform a comprehensive study of minerals alteration associated with radioactive materials under controlling geological structures. This study aims to explore the associated radiogenic heat and geothermal energy to expand the geothermal resources assessments. The study utilizes Spectral Angle Mapper classification, band algebra, principal component analysis (PCA), surface lineament density, and decorrelation stretch techniques and Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis to enhance the mapping of mineralized alterations in the study area. It uses VNIR-SWIR ASTER data to identify hydrothermal alteration minerals and dominant alteration zones, also Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) offers two adjacent thermal bands, benefiting land surface temperature (LST) radiation from space in the Gabal Abu Hashim area. The area contains minerals alteration indicators like chlorite, alunite, illite, kaolinite, sericite, with less abundant ferrous minerals and epidote. Airborne gamma-ray spectrometry (AGRS) was used to identify naturally occurring radioactive anomalous zones, including potassium (K), equivalent uranium (eU), and equivalent thorium (eTh), to estimate the radiogenic heat production (RHP) in selected areas of the study area. The examination of AGRS data indicated that the studied region has radioelement concentrations ranging from 2.8 to 148 ppm, 18 to 144 ppm, and 0.004 to 9% of (eU), (eTh), and (K), respectively, indicating the existence of various rock types. The Radioelements Composite Image (RCI) successfully highlighted the radioelements enriched zones associated with younger granite, older granite, and metamorphic rocks, particularly those with extensive hydrothermal alteration. The results successfully discriminated alteration zones associated with radioelements K, U, and Th potential parts in the regional shear oblique zone. The weighted overlay GIS model was used to produce the alteration zones potentiality map, and to identify five zones of significant variations in heat production across different geological formations. The northern and southeastern regions demonstrate high alterations and land surface temperature corresponding to areas of high fault density and shear zones. The results of this study reveal that the proposed methods of remote sensing and AGRS data are effective in detecting areas rich in K, eU, and eTh in alteration zones associated with high radiogenic heat production in younger granite, older granite, and metamorphic rocks.

Background Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) is a disease of decimal prognosis, with around 50% of patients presenting with metastatic disease. Previous trials reported a high incidence of early onset pancreatic cancer (EOPAC) in Egypt, presenting about 25% of patients with PAC. The clinic-pathological features and prognosis of EOPAC needs more study. Patients and methods A retrospective analysis of patients’ records at Shefa Al-Orman comprehensive cancer center database. Patients with histo-pathologically confirmed diagnosis of PAC. We categorized patients according to the age at diagnosis into EOPAC (≤ 50 years) and average onset PAC (AOPAC). Data on risk factors, family history, presenting symptoms, clinic-pathological features, treatment, and prognosis were extracted. Patients with histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer diagnosed between December 2016-December 2022 were included. Results The study cohort consisted of 412 patients. EOPAC represented 20.3% of patients, with no significant differences in risk factors and family history compared to AOPAC. Duration of symptoms before diagnosis is longer in EOPAC, with the majority of EOPAC presenting with localized disease (23.8%) and locally advanced tumors (28.5%) compared to AOPAC. AOPAC presented more with metastatic disease (64% vs. 45.2%, p  = 0.003). EOPAC are usually submitted to more aggressive treatment including radical surgery, neoadjuvant therapy, and aggressive chemotherapy regimens in metastatic disease. Disease free survival (DFS) of EOPAC was shorter than AOPAC (11 months vs. 17 months, p  = 0.889), but overall survival OS was significantly longer in EOPAC (10 months vs. 6 months, p  = 0.013). Conclusion Patients with EOPAC in Egypt represent around 25% of cases. EOPAC tend to have a shorter disease free survival (DFS) in patients presenting with localized disease. The overall survival (OS) is longer in EOPAC compared to AOPAC. Further studies are mandatory to identify the epidemiological and risk factors of EOPAC in Egypt.

This study integrates aeromagnetic data with geological information to develop a consistent interpretation of both shallow and deep structural frameworks at various depths in the Missiakat Al Jukh area, located in the Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. The research begins by processing reduced-to-the-north magnetic pole (RTP) anomalies, using Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) techniques to distinguish between local residual structures and broader regional features. This multi-scale approach enables a more detailed understanding of the geological complexity in the region, revealing its subsurface structures. Advanced geophysical methods such as upward continuation, Euler deconvolution, source parameter imaging (SPI), and global particle swarm optimization (GPSO) were applied to further refine the determination of structural depths, offering critical insights into the distribution and orientation of geological features at varying depths. The study reveals dominant structural orientations aligned in the NNW-SSE, ENE-WSW, north–south, and east–west directions, reflecting the region’s complex tectonic history. This research is of great importance in terms of sustainability. By delivering detailed subsurface maps and providing more accurate depth estimates of basement rocks (between 0.6 and 1.3 km), it contributes to sustainable resource exploration in the region. A better understanding of the geological structure helps minimize the environmental impact of exploration by reducing unnecessary drilling and concentrating efforts on areas with higher potential. Additionally, the use of non-invasive geophysical techniques supports the transition toward more environmentally conscious exploration practices. The integration of these advanced methods promotes a more sustainable approach to mineral and resource extraction, which is crucial for balancing economic growth with environmental preservation in geologically sensitive areas. Ultimately, this work provides a thorough geological interpretation that not only aids future exploration efforts but also aligns with the global push for sustainable and eco-friendly resource management.

This study addressed the increasing challenges of climate change by exploring the use of machine learning (ML) algorithms to predict the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Accurate ETo prediction is crucial for optimizing irrigation water management. This research aimed to assess the reliability and accuracy of ML algorithms in predicting ETo values. Three ETo calculation methods were employed: Penman-Monteith (PM), Hargreaves (HA), and Blaney-Criddle (BC). The study analyzed ETo and other climate variables using the modified Mann-Kendall test (m-MK) and Theil Sen's slope estimator methods to identify trends. Multiple ML algorithms, including Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest (RF), XGboost, K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Decision Trees (DT), Linear Regression (LR), and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) were utilized for ETo prediction. The ML algorithms exhibited excellent performance, with coefficients of determination (R 2 ) values ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 for PM, 0.99 for HA, and from 0.91 to 0.92 for BC. The models demonstrated a high value of the Kling-Gupta efficiency (KGE) with low Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) values. Strong correlations between the predicted and calculated daily ETo were observed with R 2 values of 0.99, 0.99, and 0.92 for PM, HA, and BC methods, respectively. In conclusion, this study affirmed the accuracy and reliability of ML algorithms to match that of standard ETo prediction equations.

Immunotherapy has shown significant potential for treating malignancies. Not yet widely considered is the opportunity to employ immunotherapy for the treatment of benign tumors. By focusing on targetable antigens expressed following specific genetic changes associated with individual benign tumors, immunotherapy may provide an effective approach to benign tumor treatment, circumventing the need for more conventional surgery. Immunotherapies can specifically recognize and target tumor cells, which could be especially beneficial for benign tumors given the extended timeframe available for treatment. Thus, benign tumors, offering a greater window of opportunity for treatment and a relatively stable phenotype associated with a limited mutation burden, can derive great benefit from immunotherapeutic approaches targeting antigens uniquely associated with each condition.

Incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart irrigation systems into developing regions encounters significant financial constraints. To address this gap, this study aimed to identify the most effective locations for the sensor deployment using the Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, maximizing the spatial coverage of soil moisture states while minimizing the number of required wireless sensor nodes. Ensuring the accuracy of YL-69 soil moisture sensors is pivotal for system efficiency therefore, a volumetric water content (VWC) calibration was conducted. Soil samples from the surface and subsurface layers were subjected to a comprehensive laboratory analysis to assess their physical and chemical attributes. Employing the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Water model (SPAW), the available water-holding capacity (AWHC) for these soil samples was estimated. A sensor placement strategy was formulated, aligning with AWHC maps to detect the spatial variations at varying depths. Further soil samples were collected to fine-tune the sensor calibration. Our findings revealed that third-order polynomial regression equations yielded the best correspondence between the sensor readings and the reference VWC measurements, with R 2 values ranged from 0.94 to 0.99 for surface layers and 0.95 to 0.98 for subsurface layers. This innovative approach facilitated the deployment of IoT and smart irrigation applications by determining the optimal sensor placement and enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the water management systems.

This study aimed to prepare antifouling and highly mechanical strengthening membranes for brackish and underground water desalination. It was designed from cellulose acetate (CA) loaded anatase. Anatase was prepared from tetra-iso-propylorthotitanate and carboxymethyl cellulose. Different concentrations of anatase (0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8)% were loaded onto CA during the inversion phase preparation of the membranes. The prepared membranes were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM & EDX), mechanical properties, swelling ratio, porosity determination, and ion release. The analysis confirmed the formation of anatase on the surface and inside the macro-voids of the membrane. Furthermore, anatase loading improved the CA membrane’s mechanical properties and decreased its swelling and porosity rate. Also, CA-loaded anatase membranes displayed a significant antibacterial potential against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results showed that the salt rejection of the CA/anatase films as-prepared varies considerably with the addition of nanomaterial, rising from 46%:92% with the prepared membranes under the 10-bar operation condition and 5 g/L NaCl input concentration. It can be concluded that the prepared CA-loaded anatase membranes have high mechanical properties that are safe, economical, available, and can stop membrane biofouling.

ObjectivesAssessing the diagnostic reliability, validity, and accuracy of the hydraulic contrast lift protocol during transcrestal sinus floor elevation in detecting the lift and perforation of the sinus membrane before graft material application and assessing the effect of its use on the operator’s diagnostic confidence.Material and methodsA single-blind randomized split-mouth study on fresh refrigerated sheep heads. The first intervention consisted of injecting 0.5 ml iodinated contrast medium on the test side and 0.5 ml saline on the control side. In the second intervention artificial sinus membrane perforations were created followed by injecting 0.5 ml iodinated contrast medium on the test side and 0.5 ml saline on the control side. Intraoperative periapical radiographs were taken for both interventions. The resulting 40 radiographs were assessed by 10 examiners to provide interpretations and confidence ratings. The primary endpoints were diagnostic reliability, validity, accuracy, and perceived diagnostic confidence.ResultsIn the hydraulic contrast lift protocol, the detection rate was 99% for sinus elevations and 98% for perforations, the saline protocol yielded a detection rate of 28% and 20% respectively. The hydraulic contrast lift protocol demonstrated a high level of inter-rater agreement for the diagnosis of elevations (p < 0.001) and perforations (p < 0.001), strong diagnostic validity for the diagnosis of elevations (p < 0.001) and perforations (p < 0.001), high sensitivity and specificity (p < 0.001) and higher mean diagnostic confidence ratings for both interventions when compared to the saline protocol (p < 0.001). The difference between the predicted probability for correct diagnosis of the hydraulic contrast lift protocol and the saline protocol was significant (p < 0.001) for the detection of both elevations and perforations.ConclusionFollowing the hydraulic contrast lift protocol, the use of a radiographic contrast medium can reliably confirm sinus membrane lift and detect perforation during transcrestal sinus floor elevation prior to bone graft application in addition to improving the diagnostic confidence of the operator while relying on periapical radiographs.

In the present study, we examined the relationships between (1) N, P, total organic carbon (TOC), and total suspended sediment (TSS) each and stream flow and water table elevation, individually (2) N, P, and TOC, each and TSS, and (3) stream water C/N ratios and stream flow in managed pine forests with various switchgrass treatments implemented on four watersheds in coastal North Carolina plain. The treatments included a young pine forest–natural understorey (27.5 ha), a young pine forest with switchgrass intercropped between pine rows replacing natural understorey (IC) (26.3 ha), a mature thinned pine forest (25.9 ha), and pure switchgrass (27.1 ha). Precipitation, flow, water table elevation, N, phosphate, TOC, and TSS concentrations were measured from November 2009 to June 2014 (switchgrass growth from May 2012 after site preparation (SP) that ended in April 2012). Relationships (α = 0.05) among water quality and hydrologic variables were examined using a Spearman rank correlation coefficient and the principal component analysis (PCA). Nitrogen concentrations on IC were positively correlated with flow during SP. The export of nutrients and sediment from this drained pine plantation forest intercropped with switchgrass was affected by changes in hydrological and biochemical processes regulating the formation and transport of different water quality constituents during both site preparation and pine and switch growth periods. The PCA showed strong interaction between the hydrological and biochemical processes.

The near-surface groundwater aquifer that threatened the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, was investigated using integrated geophysical surveys. A total of 10 electrical resistivity imaging, 26 shallow seismic refraction, and 19 ground-penetrating radar surveys were conducted in the Giza Plateau. Collected data for each method were evaluated by state-of-the art processing and modeling techniques. A three-layer model depicts the subsurface layers and better delineates the groundwater aquifer and water table elevation. The resistivity of the aquifer layer and seismic velocity vary between 40 and 80 Ωm and between 1500 and 2500 m s−1, respectively. The average water table elevation is about +15 m, which is safe for the Great Sphinx, but it is still subjected to potential hazards from the Nazlet El-Samman suburb where the water table elevation reaches 17 m. A shallower water table at the Valley Temple and the tomb of Queen Khentkawes, with a low topographic relief, represents severe hazards. It can be concluded that a perched groundwater table is detected in the elevated topography to the west and southwest that might be due to runoff and capillary seepage.